Get to Vet’s office – packed beyond belief – had to park in another county practically – no sweat, more time to sit and snuggle and eat ice cream sandwiches with the Dude

Go into office at scheduled time, 5:30 pm, alone, to complete all paperwork and pay fee without Rip having to be in there

Told they are waaaay backed up, would I mind waiting?

Ummmm, yes, in fact I WOULD mind waiting. This is not the kind of appointment one wants to sit and ponder amonst the other four-legged beasts running around.

Told it would only be a moment then…they’d get a room ready right away. She returns within seconds telling me to go ahead and bring him in.

I do that. We go to the room. The Vet comes in…

Aw, and how’s old Ripken?

{I explained the last two weeks in detail)

Oh, so he’s not eating or drinking. Well, let’s have a look see what a treat does for him

{I watch as Ripken about tears the guy’s fingers off taking the treat. Maybe I should have warned him about Ripken and those biscuits}

Wow…I have to tell you, this dog is not telling me he’s ready to die. His breathing is a bit loud and labored, but that’s his age. But he’s active and took that treat well enough

{I look at him like he’s gone mental. Was he suggesting I was there to kill my dog for no reason?}

ME: No…YOU told me that and based on the last two weeks, I believed it. This is NOT the same behavior of the last two weeks {except the biscuits}

Now, really, I’m not concerned with that growth. I feel it’s just a fatty deposit and as your dog’s advocate, I must tell you that based on what I’m seeing here today, this is a healthy dog, and in good conscience, I can’t do what you are asking me to do

What I”M ASKING? Do you realize what your comments to me during our last visit did to me? And how those comments lead to my sitting here today, in this office, having spent the last 4 days beating myself up and grieving for him? Do you think I’m here to rid myself of a loved family member for financial reasons?

I’m only telling you that I can’t do what you came here to do in all good conscience because I feel he’s healthy and just showing his age

{By now, I’m about hysterical, but from anger…}

I am not leaving this office until you do whatever you have to do to prove this is NOT a cancerous tumor; tell me the cause of the last two weeks; and I AM NOT PAYING FOR IT. YOU ARE.

Of course. I will aspirate the mass and I’ll take a stool sample. If, you’ll hold him

I was correct. That mass is nothing to worry about, for now, it’s just fat

And the stool sample shows he’s loaded with bacteria, which I can treat, with medication. And this bacteria is absolutely the cause of his lack of appetite and lethargy. It’s common and treatable.

All I ask is that you give him a fair chance. Let him take the medication for a couple days. If there’s no improvement, we can revisit it.

What? A fair chance? You tell me my dog has a malignant tumor, tell me to make up my mind quickly, it’s only $970 to be on the safe side, and you tell ME to give him a fair chance? Give him pills for a couple days and then you’ll revisit killing him?

That’s all I’m asking. I can’t stop you from going through with this, but I can’t do it. I’ll not charge you for anything but the pills and I’ll only charge you what they cost me.

{Lord, get me away from this man before I BITE HIM}

Get me the pills, refund my prepaid murder for hire fee, and we’ll be gone.

He did and we were.

FOR FUCKING EVER!

My Dude…alive and well…despite modern medicine! When did Vets become like all the rest?

See Ma..all I needed was some ice cream and chocolate cookie stuff. Oh, and the biscuits…don’t forget the biscuits.🙂

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24 thoughts on “Wait Just One Bone-Pickin’ Minute…”

It pisses me off when everything goes to money in a vet office. Now they pass you to specialists. My vet says they don’t even set bones anymore. You need an orthopedic doctor. Huge money. I guess you put the dog down if you can’t afford it. I’m glad your pup is okay. That’s terrible. I think your vet has dementia. Stay far away. God what an asshole.

That is totally disgusting change vets now. I have had bad service from vets in the past I even had ne screw up putting a furbaby to sleep normally I would say you get what you pay for but thats not true with vets you keep trying them to you find one who actually gives a damn about the animals

We’ve used this practice since 2007, no complaints…this is a new doc there. We are used to the rotation of the docs so didn’t question when this new one came in a month ago…now we know better. And yes, new vet being looked for as we speak. no three strikes for this…they are done.

I would also write a letter explaining why to the other vets at the practise aswell explaining why you are taking your business elsewhere and that you will be honest should anyone ask for your recommendation of a vet

Unforgivable and unbelievable. When big things are suggested by a vet and you’re not sure about the procedure/cost – always get a second opinion. Above all else, get a vet you trust. Now, enjoy your second life with Ripken 😉

I like your style. Sadly tho, Rip lost the battle a couple weeks later. We did have a bit more time together before the end and for that I’m grateful. We found another Vet who knew right away he was just hanging on for me. I held him and talked to him as he passed so he was not alone. I still listen for him every morning, I don’t know that I’ll ever stop. He was a great friend to me. Thanks for the support though, much appreciated. R